How to Find the Best Wedding Photographer

Of all the decisions that you have to make when planning your wedding, one of the most important is who you choose as a wedding photographer. This key role is responsible for capturing every moment of your special day for posterity.

What follows here is a list of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best wedding photographerfor your wedding. The list below is criteria with which you can rate every perspective wedding photographer.

Portfolio

Personality

Professionalism

Planning

Pricing

Post Production

Portfolio

A photographer’s portfolio is an overview of his or her entire body of work. Below is a list of 12 elements that you can use as guidelines to consider when reviewing a photographer’s portfolio.

Impact

Technical excellence

Creativity

Style

Composition

Presentation

Color Balance

Center of Interest

Lighting

Subject matter

Technique

Story Telling

Using this list, evaluate and score each photograph in the portfolio. Keep a notebook with you when you make the rounds and meet potential photographers for your wedding. In your notebook, track the portfolios that you review so that you can remember the ones you like the most.

Personality

Every photographer has their own unique personality and sense of style. The best way to determine what photographer’s personality type is right for your wedding, you should conduct interviews. Ask questions about the photographer’s style ideas. Ask them what kind of feelings they believe should be captured in wedding photographs, and ask if they have opinions and suggestions for what works best for you, your wedding, and the photos you will treasure for years to come.

Professionalism

A truly professional wedding photographer knows all the necessary issues to be prepared for on the day of the wedding. The most important issue that your chosen photographer can consider is who will stand in for him or her if something happens on your wedding day. Professionals have a wide network of colleagues who can take their place in such instances. If a photographer has no ready network of back-up photographers, then he or she is not the right fit for you.

Planning

Savvy, experienced wedding photographers will ask you to create a list of the shots you want for your wedding. They will ask you to consider what guests should be included in group photos, at what locations you want photos shot.

Pricing

Professional photographers break their package pricing down into fourcategories: luxury, upscale, moderate, and basic. Basic photographers generally cost under $1,000. Moderate photographers range from $1,000 and $3,000. Upscale photographers charge from $3,000 and $5,000. Luxury weddings photographers can cost anywhere from $5,000 to upwards of $10,000.

Photographers’ package prices usually take into consideration the following items:

Cost of travel

Time spent working your event

Experience level of the photographer(s)

How many photographers are shooting

Equipment used

Amount of post-production work required

Post Production

Post-production is an important consideration, though it may not be the first thing you think of when planning your wedding photography. Professional photographers use the post-production phase of photography to add special touches and effects. Amateur photographers may not offer this post-production step.

Working together, you and your future spouse can use the information listed here to choose the best wedding photographer for your unique personalities.The information in this guide can make it an easier for you to make an informed decision.